On Sunday, Austintown-Fitch was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap as they fell 51-45 to Newark. While losing is never fun, Austintown-Fitch can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Ohio basketball rankings (they are ranked 150th, while Newark is ranked 22nd).
Austintown-Fitch's loss came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Deshawn Vaughn, who scored 16 points along with two steals. The team also got some help courtesy of Allen Hill jr, who scored seven points along with ten rebounds and two blocks.
Austintown-Fitch's defeat dropped their record down to 7-5. As for Newark, the victory was the ninth in a row for them, bringing their record for this year to 12-1.
Austintown-Fitch will head out on the road to face off against Harding at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. As for Newark, they will be playing in front of their home fans against Lancaster at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
